OVERVIEWIn recent years the program has become so successful that just weeks before this year’s show, ADA of Illinois hired its volunteer chair, Erin Callahan, as manager of community, government, and media relations.

CHALLENGESWhen Convene spoke to Callahan in advance of the 2015 Chicago EXPO, she said that identifying sponsors for new technology initiatives was always a challenge. This year, a new sponsor — biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca — stepped up with a “charging and relaxation station” that included phone chargers, comfortable chairs, and reading material.

INITIATIVESADA wanted to emphasize overall wellness this year, which translated into health screenings, cooking demonstrations, and — from sponsor Jewel-Osco supermarket chain — a mini grocery store right on the show floor, where attendees could learn about healthy shopping and eating. “For a lot of our attendees, this is their only access to care throughout the year,” Callahan said, “which is why our event is so important to the whole community. They really view it as their yearly checkup.”

2014~13,400 attendees~60 exhibitors

2015~15,000 attendees ~80 exhibitors

Convene’s Pre-Con/Post-Con series asks meeting planners about their challenges and how they intend to address them (Pre-Con), and then circles back around after the meeting has occurred (Post-Con) to see how well they worked out.